Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 268: A fiery court meeting, a tough fight with Li Er, answer me! ? [Seeking monthly votes]

"His Majesty!"

After being stunned by Li Chengqian's words, the censor who stood up first immediately turned his gaze to Li Shimin.

The meaning is very clear. The prince is so arrogant, and you don’t do anything about it?
Also, what qualifications does the prince have to make a decision on the minister's impeachment?
In fact, not only the censor who stood up was puzzled, but other ministers also hoped that Li Shimin would give an explanation, otherwise how could the court meeting continue?

But Li Shimin said calmly: "Speechless, announce the decree!"

"promise!"

Wushe uttered a nod, as if prepared. He immediately produced an imperial edict and read aloud, "Crown Prince Chengqian should be ordered to hear the case. Here, I will show some sympathy to the accused. From now on, the only person who can file a complaint is the Shangshu Province. If anyone refuses to submit, they should submit their case to the East Palace, and Chengqian will make the final decision. If anyone persists in their opinion and claims that the case is not fully justified, then I will hear your report. September 16, the third year of Zhenguan."

"This"

When the ministers heard the decree, they were all surprised.

Because this decree meant that in the future, lawsuits would have to be heard by the Secretariat first, and then handed over to the Crown Prince for a decision. If the Crown Prince was not satisfied with the decision, the Emperor would make the final decision.

Don't underestimate this process. In the political and legal system of the Tang Dynasty, the Secretariat, as an administrative agency, was responsible for handling government affairs, while judicial affairs were usually handled by the Ministry of Justice or the Dali Temple.

Now that Li Shimin has added the East Palace to this process, his political intentions are obvious.

Of course, this edict has little to do with the censor's impeachment of Li Chengqian just now, but it is not difficult to see from this edict that the emperor is delegating power.

In other words, this grand court meeting was nominally presided over by the emperor, but in fact it was presided over by the crown prince.

After figuring out this key point, not only did the censor feel timid, but even the ministers could not help but look at each other in confusion.

It seems that after the Double Ninth Festival Banquet that night, the prince was no longer a prince in name only, but a prince with real power.

"Your Highness, I have a report to make!"

The next moment when the ministers reacted, Dali Temple Minister Dai Zhou stood up.

But Li Chengqian said calmly: "What's the matter?"

"Your Highness, from the beginning of the second year of the Zhenguan reign to the present, 391 prisoners have been sentenced to death. I originally intended to request Your Majesty's approval to execute them in the autumn. However, the circumstances of one individual's case have changed. I request a retrial of this condemned prisoner. Please grant this, Your Highness!"

"Oh?"

Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows when he heard Dai Zhou's report, and then asked, "Why did this change?"

Although he had not tried any case, the situation where a person was sentenced to death and then the sentence was suddenly changed was definitely not a simple one.

Dai Zhou then interrupted, "Your Highness, this case is being heard by Zhang Yungu, the Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple. I request that Zhang Yungu answer your question."

"it is good!"

Li Chengqian readily agreed, "Where is Dali Temple Secretary Zhang Yungu?"

"Your Highness, Zhang Yungu, pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"No gift!"

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said directly, "Tell me, why did this case change?"

"Yes!"

Zhang Yungu responded and quickly said, "Your Highness, the criminal in this case is named Li Haode. Although he spoke wildly, he was convicted of treason and sentenced to death. However, after careful investigation, I discovered that he was suffering from a mad disease and was not guilty. Therefore, I reported to the Supreme Court, and his death sentence was revoked and he was acquitted."

"What is madness?" Li Chengqian asked in confusion.

Zhang Yungu patiently explained, "Your Highness, so-called madness refers to a person's actions, not intentionally, but due to illness. Therefore, I believe he should not be punished."

"I see."

Li Chengqian suddenly understood what was going on and said with a smile, "So this prisoner is mentally ill. He really shouldn't be charged with this crime!"

"Mental illness?"

"Well, no matter what, Li Haode should be acquitted. I approve it!"

"Your Highness, please wait!"

Just as Li Chengqian agreed, another minister stepped forward, holding a sceptre and saying, "I have a memorial to make!"

"Who are you?" Li Chengqian frowned.

I have a natural aversion to this minister, I don't know why.

But the minister introduced himself: "Your Highness, I am the Chief Censor, Quan Wanji."

Oh!
I was wondering why you are so disgusted?
It turned out to be Quan Wanji, the one who liked to tell tales and frame others, and was eventually killed by Li You!

Although Quan Wanji received mixed reviews in history, Li Chengqian did not delve into the matter. Instead, he asked him nonchalantly, "What does the Chief Censor have to say about this case?"

"Your Highness, as far as I know, the Dali Temple has always been fair and impartial. However, since Zhang Yungu took office as the Dali Temple Secretary, he has repeatedly overturned the verdicts of criminals. Although I don't know the reason, I have heard a little about the case of Li Haode."

Quan Wanji subconsciously glanced at Li Shimin when he said this, and then continued, "As far as I know, before being transferred to the capital, the Dali Temple Secretary served in Xiangzhou for many years and had a close relationship with the Xiangzhou Governor Li Houde. And this Li Haode is Li Houde's younger brother!"

Wow!
As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar!

Even Li Shimin, who was just watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but sit up straight, staring at Zhang Yungu and asking, "Is it true?"

"Ah? This"

Zhang Yungu was startled and said quickly, "Your Majesty, please listen to my explanation."

"I'm asking you! Is this true?!"

Before Zhang Yungu could finish his words, Li Shimin suddenly stood up from the throne.

Zhang Yungu was so frightened that he immediately knelt down and stammered, "Yes, it's true."

"You're so brave!?"

Li Shimin was furious, and then he walked up to Zhang Yungu at lightning speed and said condescendingly: "I ask you, why didn't you report it?"

"Your Majesty, it is true that I have a personal relationship with Li Houde, but it is also true that Li Haode is mentally ill. Your Majesty, you cannot wrongly accuse Li Haode just because I have a personal relationship with him!" Zhang Yungu answered with a stiff upper lip.

"Hahaha!"

Li Shimin laughed in anger, "Zhang Yungu, I have always believed that you are fair and impartial, and handle cases without favoritism. That is why I transferred you from Xiangzhou to the capital to serve as the Dali Temple Secretary. I never thought that this is how you treat me."

"Your Majesty, minister."

"You disappoint me so much!"

Before Zhang Yungu could finish his words, Li Shimin interrupted him with a loud shout.

At this moment, Quan Wanji said again: "Your Majesty, I think that Li Haode's mental illness may be fake."

"What do you mean?"

Li Shimin's face darkened and he immediately looked back at Quan Wanji.

But Quan Wanji continued, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, during Li Haode's imprisonment, Zhang Yungu repeatedly challenged him to a game of chess. How could a mentally ill person play chess with others?"

"Well, Your Majesty, it is true that Li Haode is mentally ill, but his illness is not always present. It's just..."

"How dare you protect him!!"

When Li Shimin heard Zhang Yungu defending Li Haode, he was furious: "You are too arrogant!!"

After saying this, he paced back and forth in anger. Finally, he could no longer bear it and immediately waved his hand and ordered: "Drag him to the East Market and behead him!"

"What!?"

Zhang Yungu was shocked when he heard this and immediately cried out, "Your Majesty! I am innocent!"

"His Majesty!"

When Fang Xuanling saw that Li Shimin was about to kill Zhang Yungu in anger, he quickly stood up.

But when Li Shimin gave him a cold look, he was immediately frightened and his legs trembled, and he swallowed what he wanted to say.

At this time, Wei Zheng also stood up and said, "Your Majesty, you are wrong."

"Wei Zheng!!"

Li Shimin raised his finger and pointed, angrily saying, "You too, shut up!"

"Ah, this"

Wei Zheng opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.

The Jinwu Guards outside the hall rushed in, carrying Zhang Yungu and preparing to drag him out of the Taiji Hall.

At this moment, a voice that had been silent all this time suddenly rang out: "If I remember correctly, this case should be decided by me first, right?"

Boom!

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience was struck by lightning.

Even the Jinwu Guards who were about to carry Zhang Yungu out of the Taiji Hall stopped.

There was no way. On the night of the Double Ninth Festival Banquet, they had a great time killing people because of Li Chengqian's orders.

Now, after hearing Li Chengqian's words, he instinctively wanted to obey.

After all, those aristocratic families who are usually high and mighty have long wanted to start a massacre, but unfortunately due to their status and orders, they have neither the will nor the courage.

However, they stopped not because they were disobeying Li Shimin's order, but because a group of people stood behind them, blocking their way.

All of these people are civil and military officials from Jiangling.

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes slightly, then turned to look at Li Chengqian and said coldly, "What do you mean, Prince?"

"I don't mean anything else. I just want to remind my father that your decree just now seems to let me make the first decision. If the decision is wrong, you will make the decision." Li Chengqian said lightly.

Li Shimin snorted coldly, "This case is clear and straightforward. You don't need to make the decision. I can make it myself!"

"That won't do!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian immediately stood up from his chair and said solemnly, "Rules are rules. As the saying goes, there is no order without rules. Since the emperor has already issued an order, how can we change it overnight?"

"you!"

Li Shimin was choked, but still insisted on his opinion: "Can't you even see this? Zhang Yungu is bending the law for personal gain!"

"Whether there is favoritism or not, I will make the final decision!"

Li Chengqian said with a stern face, "Come here, bring Li Haode to the main hall. I want to interrogate him personally!"

"Yes!"

Before the Jinwu Guards outside the palace could receive the order, the former Dali Temple Secretary Sun Fujia led his men to the Dali Temple prison with ease. Seeing this scene, the ministers looked at each other in bewilderment again.

I thought it was so exciting!
The dynasty had just begun, and the father and son started fighting!

Then wait, if His Majesty is slapped in the face by the Crown Prince, I wonder what expression he will have.
Thinking of this, the ministers couldn't help but start to look forward to it.

Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian with a gloomy face, wishing he could teach this rebellious son a lesson.

If I had known it would be so frustrating to let him preside over the court meeting, I would never agree to Du Ruhui no matter what!

Unfortunately, there is no medicine for regret in the world.

Even though Li Er was regretting it now, he could only wait for Li Chengqian to make his decision before making his own.

Fortunately, Sun Fujia was extremely efficient and brought the death row prisoner Li Haode to the Taiji Hall in less than two quarters of an hour.

However, before he began to report Li Haode's situation, Li Haode burst into laughter in front of all the ministers.

"Hahaha, why are there so many people here? Are you all here to worship me?"

"What's the emperor? He's just a groom!"

“I can do that too!”

"I am the emperor!"

"Hahaha, I am the emperor!"

Hearing Li Haode's wild laughter, the ministers were speechless.

I thought to myself, this guy is not crazy, I will stand upside down and make a report!

But the silence of the ministers did not mean that Li Chengqian would remain speechless. He only looked at Li Haode with interest and said, "You said you are the emperor?"

Li Haode's wild laughter stopped abruptly upon hearing this. He then frowned and looked at Li Chengqian, asking, "Who are you?"

"I am the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty!"

"Prince?"

Li Haode was stunned for a moment, then said angrily: "You are talking nonsense! I don't have a son like you!"

Li Shimin: "."

Li Chengqian: "."

"Hahaha--!"

Suddenly, a burst of laughter rang out in the hall.

Li Shimin and Li Chengqian's faces turned pale and they glanced at him coldly.

But the person who burst into laughter was none other than Cheng Yaojin.

When Li Shimin and his son cast cold glances at him, his laughter abruptly stopped, and he knelt in fear: "I deserve to die!"

"Hmph!" Li Shimin and his son snorted coldly at the same time.

But then Li Chengqian said solemnly, "Whether someone is pretending to be crazy or not is actually very easy to tell. Just ask him a few questions. If he can't answer them, then he's definitely mentally ill!"

"May I ask the Crown Prince, what question do you want to ask?" Sun Fujia asked hurriedly.

Li Chengqian glanced at him, then walked up to Li Haode and said, "You said you were the emperor. Then I have a question for you. The emperor has something that is larger and more abundant than other people's homes. The emperor can see through a wall with it. Do you know what it is?"

"This"

Li Haode was stunned.

The ministers were also stunned.

Even Li Shimin was stunned.

Because not only Li Haode couldn't answer it, even they couldn't answer it.

But Li Chengqian saw that Li Haode was stunned, so he changed the question: "You said you are the emperor, then besides the emperor, who else needs to attend court every day?"

"Of course he is my subject!" Li Haode reacted faster this time.

But Li Chengqian just laughed dumbly: "You're wrong! No one would go to court every day, not even ministers would go to court every day!"

"Ah? This"

Not only was Li Haode stunned, but even Li Shimin and all the ministers were dumbfounded.

Because their inner reaction was exactly the same as Li Haode's.

This is a bit embarrassing.

Are we and others also mentally ill?
Just when Li Shimin and his ministers were doubting themselves, Li Chengqian asked Li Haode: "Why do tigers eat raw meat?"

"Because the tiger is hungry!"

"Wrong! Because tigers don't know how to cook!"

Li Haode: “.”

Li Shimin and his ministers: "."

"Okay, last question. What's the last thing a dying person would do?"

"Play chess! Yes! Play chess!"

Li Haode seemed to wake up with a start, and immediately shouted: "I want to play chess! Master Zhang, I want to play chess!"

As he said that, he ran madly across the hall, looking for Zhang Yungu to play chess.

At this time, the Jinwu Guards immediately stepped forward and arrested him.

Li Chengqian shook his head helplessly upon seeing this, then slowly walked up to Quan Wanji and said word by word, "Zhongcheng Yushi, you answer this question."

"Ah? This"

Quan Wanji was taken aback for a moment, then smiled wryly and said, "Your Highness's question is truly profound and unfathomable."

"Answer me!!"

Li Chengqian suddenly shouted.

The whole audience was shocked.

Even Li Shimin was so shocked that he stood there in a daze.

"Is Li Haode mentally ill? Answer me?!"

"Your Highness, I am your servant."

Quan Wanji was so frightened that he couldn't speak.

The other ministers looked at Li Chengqian in amazement.

This aura, why does it feel more imperial than the emperor?!
But then Li Chengqian said coldly, "I want to ask you, because of these few words of yours, my father almost killed a capable official who was handling the case. What is your crime?"

"Your Highness, it is an indisputable fact that Zhang Yungu concealed his personal relationship with Brother Li Haode. Doesn't that mean he is not guilty?" Quan Wanji quickly defended.

Li Chengqian laughed, a speechless laugh, but also angrily: "Zhang Yungu said Li Haode was mentally ill and should be found not guilty. You said he was partial and perverted the law. Isn't that a false accusation against a colleague?"

"Ah, I didn't, I just..."

"enough!"

Before Quan Wanji could finish his words, Li Chengqian impatiently interrupted him and immediately ordered, "Come here! Drag Quan Wanji away and give him thirty lashes of the cane. Hand him over to the Dali Temple for trial!"

"Your Majesty! I am wronged! Your Majesty, I am wronged!"

Quan Wanji's face turned pale instantly and he quickly protested his innocence.

But Li Shimin only felt the burning pain on his cheeks at this time, so he didn't pay any attention to him.

The Jinwu Guards, who were originally planning to drag Zhang Yungu out of the court, gave up on Zhang Yungu and dragged Quan Wanji away the moment they heard Li Chengqian's order.

Seeing this reversal, all the ministers present were filled with regret.

In fact, when Sun Fujia went to the Dali Temple, Li Chengqian looked up the "Encyclopedia" in the system, which recorded in detail the injustice of Zhang Yungu's case.

Because of the Zhang Yungu case, Li Shimin not only realized his mistake, but also specifically ordered that all death sentences in the Tang Dynasty, even those that were executed immediately, must be confirmed three times to prevent false and wrongful convictions.

Therefore, the few questions Li Chengqian asked Li Haode were just for show.

But as he watched Quan Wanji and Li Haode being escorted out of the hall, Zhang Yungu couldn't help but cautiously ask Li Chengqian: "May I ask your Highness, what are the answers to the first and last questions?"

"Ok?"

"Don't misunderstand me, Your Highness. I simply want to be able to more accurately diagnose mental illness in future cases to prevent false charges and miscarriages of justice."

Li Chengqian couldn't help but laugh when he heard this, and then glanced at the ministers in the hall: "Do you want to know too?"

"Your Highness, please give us your instructions!" Wei Zheng was the first to stand up.

The other ministers followed suit, and even Li Shimin was full of curiosity.

But Li Chengqian laughed and said:
"Since you want to know, I'll tell you. The answer to the first question is, window. The answer to the second question is, exhale your last breath."

"What!?"

The ministers were all confused and seemed quite shocked by the two answers.

But Li Chengqian did not waste any more time on this matter. He turned to Li Shimin and said, "Father, after this case, I have made a decision. In this year alone, our Tang Dynasty has had 390 prisoners sentenced to death. This is not a sign of prosperity."

Therefore, I think we should do as Li Haode did and release these 390 death row prisoners, allowing them to go home for the New Year and wait until the autumn execution next year!"

Boom!

As soon as these words came out, the whole audience was shocked.

The ministers were even more shocked than knowing Li Chengqian's two answers.

How can this be? !
Those are all death row prisoners!
You let them go, and still expect them to come back and be executed next year?
impossible! Absolutely impossible!
The ministers reacted for a moment, and someone stood up immediately.

"Your Highness, even in the most prosperous times, such a ridiculous thing has never happened!"

"Yes, Your Highness, your decision is absurd!"

"Your Majesty! You must make the decision on this matter! You cannot let His Royal Highness the Crown Prince act recklessly!"

(End of this chapter)